Team mate comparisons

Compare the best times of each team’s drivers in the last part of qualifying in which they both set a time.

Hamilton was much quicker than Jenson Button – he had over a second in hand over his team mate.

Michael Schumacher was even further behind Nico Rosberg. He said: “In qualifying I was still nearly a second away and couldn’t have matched his time, so we have to analyse deeply what could be the reason for it. Obviously then, I tried to push even harder to compensate which lead to a mistake in the last chicane on my last lap, probably costing me P8.”

Adrian Sutil out-qualified Paul di Resta for the third time in ten attempts, with a comfortable margin of three-quarters of a second. Interestingly, di Resta described his set-up as “race-orientated”.

Sector times

Here are the drivers?óÔé¼Ôäó best times in each sector.

Hamilton was fastest in two out of three sectors but admitted afterwards he was surprised by his performance: “I don?óÔé¼Ôäót really know where I found the time, and to be honest I?óÔé¼Ôäóm going to get a recording of the onboard footage and watch it back because I?óÔé¼Ôäód love to see it.”

However he gave a clue to what’s behind McLaren’s improved pace, referring to changes made to the cars “engine modes”.

i dont think mclaren has found anything extra, look at the speed traps yesterday, they were down by about 11km/h to schumacher and were obviously running high fuel. now with the rules on the exhaust blown diffusers back to how they were pre silverstone it is no surprise to see them at the top again, they had the fastest car in race trim in many of the races leading up to the rule change.

Some unbelievable driving! (I’ve only just caught up with the qualifying as I’ve been at work!) Best qualifying this year surely. Absolutely speechless at Lewis’ lap!

Perhaps Michael Schumacher has a too lower downforce setup. I’m thinking this as he seems to be faster than Nico in a straight line. If it rains, then his setup will obviously be more downforce orientated, and we know what he can do in the rain so it’s not the last we’ve seen from him. He’ll probably make a good start and have great race pace as usual so we’ll see.

Hamilton is very fast in the slow bits of S1 and S3 which suggests that his car is compliant over curbs and has good traction, i.e, it is soft at the back and has some roll. These are good traits for rain.

Ferrari’s drop off is perplexing. I was cold, but it was cold in Silverstone too. Given that the tires look set to last for half the race, it doesn’t seem like Alonso will see Hamilton and the RBRs fall back toward him due to tire consumption this time.

hamilton has a dry setup,while the bulls and the ferraris have a in the middle setup to (rain and dry). Button has a setup for wet.
Hamilton and button are risking it, hamilton hopes it it does n’t rain otherwise he is toasted while button prays for rain.
That’s why there’s the massive difference between hamilton and button. there’s not way hamilton is 1.1 seconds faster than button. he is 2-3 tenths at best.

Great comment and very realistic, that is the difference between the two drivers. Hamilton will drive the wheels off his car set up on the edge, Button prefers a more conservative approach and always looks ahead to the race as his single lap pace is never as quick as Lewis’s. Looking forward to a great race.

By my reckoning, Alonso has won this year’s qualifying battle against Massa, 10-0. I’m sure this isnt going to do Massa any favours in negotiating the slim chances of a further extension to his contract next year

Also, these stats are very interesting. No surprise to see the Red Bulls quick in the 2nd sector, but Hamilton quicker in the other 2 is a shock. If he gets off the line well, he could pass Webber in the DRS straight. Also, Hamilton seems to be the best at managing his KERS, which could be big to decide the race. But no-one has taken into account that Hamilton started 5th, and was 2nd by turn 1. It might have been helped by KERS, but he is a lot futher back then he was then. The start will be crucial here, as it has been proved hard to overtake in recent years. Come on Lewis!
Also,Keith, when i post a comment, i have to refresh then post. I can’t reply either.